Rotary engine, pump, meter, and the like



Jan. 22, 1929. I 1,700,038 I E. FEUERHEERD ROTARY ENGINE, PUMP, METER, AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 22, 1929.

E. FEUERHEERD ROTARY ENGINE, PUMP, METER, vAND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 22, 1929. 1,700,038

s. FEUERHEERD ROTARY ENGINE, PUNP, IETBR, AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 5, 1927 s sheets-sheet s a d n m/wwme E glgueriwrd Arm m0 Jan. 22, 1929.

1,700,038 E. FEUERHEERD ROTARY ENGINE, PUIP, IETER, AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 5. "1927 6 Shanta-Sheet 4 EfFezzer/ wrd Jan. 22 1929.

E. FEUERHEERD ROTARY ENGINE, PUMP, METER, AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 5. 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 5 fuwuz'or El'hwrheerd 9 a zrm-mv flflar'ne y.

Jan. 22, 1929.

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 5, 1927 jig/l.

Inunlor Feuerfieerd Patented Jan. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES- PATENT, OFFICE.

ERNEST FEUERHEERD, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES ARATOON MALCOLM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

ROTARY ENGINE, PUMP, METER, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed December 5, 1927, Serial No. 237,910, and in Great Britain March 12, 1827.

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to rotary apparatus such as engines, pumps, meters, or the like.

The present invention aims to provide a rotary apparatus of the kind referred to which shall be of a simple yet strong and lasting construction, and capable of operating dependably and at good efliciency, and advantageous in respect of manufacturing economies, maintenance and upkeep.

In a rotary engine, pump, meter, or the like according to the present invention subversive sliding friction is substantially replaced by rolling friction. The apparatus is capable of acting at very high speeds, and great re'gularity of delivery is obtained even if the pressure against which that delivery hasto be made varies substantially.

In order that the present invention may be the more clearly understood, reference is made to the constructional forms of the present invention which are shewn', by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 are front and side sectional elevations of a two-piston pump Fig. 3 is a view of a three-piston pump.

Figs. 4 and 5 are front and side sectional elevations of a six-piston pump, the pistons being omitted in Fig. 5. i

Fig. 6 is a view showing an elliptical cham her with four pistons;

Figs. 7 and 8 show a four-piston pump with means for preventing leakage along the pump spindle.

Fig. 9 is a front sectional elevation showing the pistons, the working chamber periphery and the hub covered with a resilient material.

Fig. 10 is a side sectional elevation on the line- 1010 of Fig.11, and Fig. 11 a front elevation of a variable capacity three-piston pump, while Fig. 12 is an enlarged diagrammatic view showing how the variable capacity is effected.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

there is shown a pum or the like havin an virtually or actually a crank-pin connexion, whereof the crank-arm is the virtual arm, or an actual arm, joining the centre of the cylindrical piston bor 6, etc., with its rocking axis Which is mounted in the eccentric carrier or driving disc a so as, with respect to the direction of rotation of the piston group of the machine, to lie in advance of the centre of the piston b or 1), etc.

The position ofthe rocking axes having been determined with due regar to the amount of eccentricity at which the machine is desired to work, the next point, is to fix the length of the actual or virtual crank arms i. e. the distances between the rocking arms f and the centres of the pistons. In order to avoid unnecessary friction this distance should be substantially greater than the aforesaid eccentricity e. g. if the eccentricity is 1 this length might conveniently be from 1.2 upwards. Once these two factors are fixed the position of each piston 12 in relation to its rocking arm f, at a given positionin its path, will necessarily be fixed, as will the limits of the mutual approach and recession of the piston. can be determined by obvious mathematical calculations.

Thus in their travel round the'working chamber or annulus a, the cylmdrical pistons b, 6, etc., will perform an oscillatory movement about the rocking axes 7', from one side by the outer surface 9 and back again by the These positions and limits innersurface h, sothat the pistons b, 1), etc.,

7 not only are faster speeds thus made possible, but the .mechanical efficiency of the machine is improved. v

'At each rotation of the piston group, a group of two, Figs.'1 and 2, or a group of three, Fig. 3, or a group of four, Figs. 6 and 7, or a group of six, Fig. 4, for example, set

- 180 or 120, or or 60 apart, the aforesaid oscillatory movement of the pistons b, 12, etc., will cause them to alternately approach and recede from each other, so as to contract or expand the space between them,

such expansions and contractions bein timed to take place in appropriate relationship with suitable inlet and outlet ports j, kwhich may be open ports, or if desired valved port's.

Rolling may be further facilitated by a construction of the cylindricalpistons b, 5, etc., and/or. the centre hub e with loose sleeves as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 constructed as annular ball or roller bearings. A loose inner sleeve may also be provided on the casing.

The admission and discharge ports j, may be arranged in the ends Z, m, (Fig. 3) or in the sides (Fig. 1) of the stator or casing d.

There are cases in which, for instance, it is of importance to prevent leakage taking place past the pump spindle gland, e. g. when the fluid being pumped is of a volatile and inflammable character, such as petrol.

One way of doing this is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. To this end a groove, which may be a part of the helical groove 11 in the pump spindle 12 is put into communication with the suction side of the pump insuch a manner as to produce a difierence of pressure on the opposite sides of the pump spindle groove, thus tending to cause any liquid being pumped, which may have crept along the spindle, to be drawn back again into the pump. The aforesaid communication may be arranged to be established as the pistons near the end of the suction stroke.

In the example shown the groove 11 of the pump spindle 12 may communicate with the suction side of the pump through an annular space 13 formed between a face 14 of the casing of the, pump and the piston carrier 15, a staple-like shaped passage 16 in the pump casing serving to place the annular space 13 into communication with the suction side of the pump towards the end of the suction stroke. In 7 the suction port is marked 17 and the outlet from the staple-like shaped passage 16 is marked 18. Y

The groove 11 in the pump spindle may also communicate with an oil pipe 19 supplying lubricant to the pump spindle so that such oil supply is under the influence of the difference of pressure hereinbefore mentioned, and thereby affording additional security against leakage, and also facilitating the lubrication of the bearings etc. v

Fig. 6 shows a form of engine, pump, meter, or the like, the annular chamber 1 of which is elliptical and the centre sleeve 2 is in the form of a fixed centre piece of the same shape as the elliptical casing 3 so that the rollers or pistons 4 roll in close proximity to this centre piece 2 and in contact with the elliptical casing 3. Two suction ports 5,5, and two delivery ports 6, 6 may be provided in the casing or stator 3.

Fig. 5 shows an example of mounting the driving shaft a on ball bearings 22, and shows the ease with which the apparatus may be manufactured and assembled.

In Fig. 2 a single driving disc 0 is shown. In Fig. 5 a pair of driving discs a, a are employed for symmetrical drive.

A machine with a symmetrical system of cylindrical pistons is especially suitable for pumping purposes. With this arrangement pulsation effects, with the attendant evil of water hammer, are avoided or minimized, and comparatively silent working at fast speeds, for example between 500 and 4,000 R. P. M., is promoted."

Figs..10 and 11, illustrate a pump having provision for varying the volumetric capacity'by altering the eccentricity of the path of the rocker-arms with respect to the casing.

In this construction the casing is made in three parts 50, 5i, and 52, the medial part 52 being movable with respect to the other parts. On a shaft 53 there is mounted a pair of driving discs a, a, having rocking pins or axis'f for the pistons, b, b and b the pins, being connected to the pistons by links 54.

Fig. 12 shows in full outline the parts so set that the volumetric capacity of the space 55 nearest the intake side 56 is at the maximum, while the dotted outline shows how by moving down the medial part 52 the space 55 has been restricted, that is to say, the capacity of the space 55 has been lessened. Movement is imparted to the medial part 52 by the screwed anchor bolt 57 the lower end of which is housed in a slot 58 in the medial part 52 troublesome liquids which contain grit, which" is liable to cause great damage to pumps of ordinary construction. For this purpose the pistons, or their outer sleeves, should be The maximum capacity of the space 55 is covered with resilient material such as indiarubber. As an alternative this covering may be applied to the casing and hub, or both these and the pistons may be so clothed. Fig. 9 shows the pistons, the working chamber p.eriphery,"and the hub, covered-with a resilient material, the coverings being indicated by the reference characters 40, 41, and 42.

The regularity of the supply renders this form of apparatus very suitable for use as a meter, by fixing a revolution recorder to the same. It may so function when driving as a pump, or when driven by liquid being forced through it.

It is to be understood that the present invention includes a reversal of the parts, that is to say the casing (i may be the rotor member and the carrier a the stator member.

It is to be understood that the term crank arms. in the claims include both actual and virtual crank arms.

l/Vhat I claim is p 1. In a rotary engine, pump, meter, or the like, the combination with a casing and a hub having between them an annular chamber of constant width, of a group of spaced rolling plain periphery pistons, and means controlling the movement of said rolling pistons so that these mutually approach and recede during aworking cycle thereby forming with the casing and hub working chambers of varylng size.

- 2. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub, a working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a rotating group of rolling plain periphery pistons in said chamber, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier, and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes, so that said pistons mutually approac and recede during a working cycle.

3. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber of constant width, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a rotating group of rolling plain periphery pistons in said chamber, said pistons being of cylindrical form, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier, and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

4. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid,-a rotating grou of rolling plain pe riphery pistons in sai chamber, each "piston being of cylindrical form surrounded by a loose sleeve, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on sald carrier, and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

5. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a rotatable hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a rotating group of rolling plain periphery pistons in said chamber, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier, and crank arms joming the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

6. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, anannular working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a rotating grou of rolling plain periphery pistons in said 0 amber, a resilient clothing for each piston, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier, and crank arms joihing the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

7 A rotary engine, pump,' meter or the like,

comprising avstator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a

resilient clothing for said working chamber,

a rotating group of rolling plain periphery pistons in said chamber, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier, and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

8. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a rotating group of rolling plain periphery pistons in said chamber, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier, crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes, and provision for varying the volumetric capacity byaltering the eccentricity of the path ofsaid rocker arms in reference to the casing.

9. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a rotating group of rolling plain periphery pistons in said chamber,a shaft, an eccentric carrier thereon, an oil supply to said shaft, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier, and crank arms joining the centresof the pistons with their rocking axes, and means for preventing leakage along said shaft, said means communicating with said oil supply.

10. A rotary engine, pump, .meter or the like, comprising a casing and a-hub concentric therewith forming-a stator, an annular working chamber, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, a group of plain periphery pistons in said chamber forming a rotor, an eccentric carrier, rocking axes for the pistons on said carrier,and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

11. A rotary pump, meter orthe like, comprising a stator, a rotating hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber of constant width, inlets to and outlets from said chamber for a fluid, arotating group of rolling cylindrical pistons in said chamher, a driving shaft, an eccentric carrier on said driving shaft, rocking axes for the pistons on'said carrier, and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

12. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber of constant width, inlets to and outlets from said working chamber, a rotating group of rolling cylindrical pistons in said chamber, a pair of eccentric carriers, rocking axes for the pistons on said carriers, and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

13. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber of constant width, inlets to and outlets from said Working chamber, a rotating group of rolling pistons in said chamber, an eccentric carrier, a shaft on whlch said carrier 1s mounted, rocking axes for the pistons on said cardrical form surrounde rier, crank arms joining the centres of the plstons withthelr rocking axes, a resilieht clothing for the working chamber, and a resilient clothing for each of said rolling pistons.

14. A rotary engine, pump, meter" or the like, comprising a stator, a hub concentric therewith, an annular working chamber of constant width, inlets and outlets to said chamber, a rotating group of rolling pistons in said chamber, each iston being of cylind by a loose sleeve, an

- eccentric carrier, a-shaft on which said cari -'rier is mounted, rocking pins for the pistons on said carrier, and crank arms joining the centres of the pistons with their rocking axes.

15. A rotary engine, pump, meter or the like, comprising a stator, a hub comprising a fixed part surrounded by aloose sleeve concentric with said stator, an annular working ERNEST FEUERHEERD. 

